Hi Janeteva,

You probably won't get to ask any questions when you have your MRI, it's usually done by a technician and a nurse, the reports being sent to a radiologist to read and report to your referring doctor/ consultant. You may have to wait a while for your results too. I had an MRI on the 18th October - I am getting my results from this one 24th November. The last MRI I had done before that the results were 6 weeks after my scan as they went to an MDT meeting before I got them. Where are they scanning? Is it a head scan for ENT? If so it will be very quick.

Hi songbirds. Thanks for answering.its took me a while to reply as I am not very good at computers .I,m 73 and feel as though I am being ignored.All I know is that my scan is for internal auditory meatus both.So I think it's my head and ears.I just can't seem to see my own doctor since covid and the etn specialist just did,nt want to listen to me.just done the checks and sent me home.as I say when I asked him why I am falling he just said I don,t know.i get tinnitus earache and fall.but I am not dizzy that is what worrie me.I,m hoping they find something that can be treated with antibiotics. At least I,ll know.again thanks for answering if you find I don,t get back to you it's most likely I doing things wrong signing in.keep safe and thanks.xx

Don't worry - it took me a while how to figure out signing in. I can help you understand a little bit about the MRI you are going to have. I am in my 50's and I lost hearing quite badly on one side, as well as tinnitus and balance issues, which was looked into before covid (I have hearing aids now). This MRI is usually to check for a very rare benign growth called an acoustic neuroma which tends to cause balance issues and tinnitus and deafness in the affected ear. It's a very quick scan (like 10 minutes). You will have your head put in a rigid frame, and it can be a little bit scary, but I just closed my eyes and thought nice thoughts. Sometimes they give you earphones playing music - and that makes it much more pleasent. It will only be your head in the scanner - so it hopefully won't be too claustrophobic for you. MRI scanners are not known for being roomy!

I hope that the ENT consultant will be more understanding when this is done and you can ask them some more questions when you scan results come back. It is very frustrating when you have a bad consultation (I have been there myself on more than 1 occassion)

Let me know how things go. Good luck!

Hi Janeteve,

I think it was about  6 weeks after my head MRI that I got my results. However you will be able to ask the tech or nurse doing the MRI how long the results will be. Then if they say 2 weeks, after 2 weeks ring the ENT department to see if the results are in and if you have an appointment to discuss. It's a shame we are not allowed anyone to go with us to appointments at the moment, as my husband is really great at picking up information I don't - or asks questions I have forgotten to ask, and sometimes it's good to have support when consultants talk over you and don't listen to what you are telling them. 

I don't really know how each NHS area is affected with MRI results at the moment though. Very urgent ones come back in days and sometimes they take longer (in my case) when they need to discuss before they talk to you. I was told that my results would be delayed though, and if you know why, it's not great but you are not jumping everytime you hear the phone ring or wait for hospital letters!

I am getting these MRI results 5 weeks after my scan - but my consultant was on holiday when my results came in. I have a face to face - so I find out what's going on this Wednesday.

Let me know how you get on. Good luck xx

Hi!

Have you had your MRI yet? Just been thinking of you today. I got my results, which are not conclusive as yet - but it was a very positive consultation. Half the battle is feeling as if you are being listened to and that your questions are answered as best they can. I hope things go well for you too.

Hi Songbird.I still have trouble getting back to you but I get there in the end.I had my scan November 21.not heard anything yet.you did have to wait a long while to hear anything.I do hope what ever you heard will help you or at least put your mind a bit at rest.when you say not conclusive do you mean they can't actually find out what is causing it or have they some idea.I hope you don't have to wait much longer before you get some proper answers.I'm just hoping they find something even if it's a little infection.At least I will know it might get better.All the best to you .Hope you hear more positive news soon.By the way I did forget to ask where and when my results will be back.My worse time is in mornings with tinnitus  and fullness of ear.All the best to you .let me know how you go.x

Hi Janeteva,

Usually MRI results are back in 10 working days - so I would ring ENT secretaries and see if the results are in by then, as it was them who ordered the tests. I need a biopsy done (which should have been done but wasn't). My consultant is having a meeting with radiology to find out if anyone is willing to do this as it is in a 'dangerous area' - ie next to my sciatic nerve - so it all depends on what they say. It needs to be a biopsy as the lesion appears benign - but they can't be 100% without testing it! 

Hi Songbird.Thanks for your advice.I will phone in a few days if I don't hear anything.I will say you must get really fed up of not getting any real answers.I think that is the worse thing when your suffering and can''t seem to get to the end of it to get the help you need.Exspect now you got to wait for more appointments and I think that is half the trouble of how it gets you down.Lets hope you don't have to wait to long as I think it must be on your mind all the time  like mine.And yet mine might be nothing.Ive had my share of illnesses and it seems lately there's always something.Although I am 73 and I expect I have to put up with it.As they say old age.Lets hope they sort you out quick so at least you know what's going on.All the best..x

Hi Janeteva,

You're never too old to have a good quality of life! And it's better to know if your problems can be treated. I am not so bothered about the wait for the next set of tests for me - I know that I am in the system and being looked after. Let me know how you get on. xx